Erbitux (cetuximab) has been approved for sale in Canada recently. It was approved by US FDA to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Erbitux is the first monoclonal antibody approved to treat this type of cancer and is indicated as a combination treatment to be given intravenously with irinotecan, or alone if patients cannot tolerate irinotecan.

Erbitux is a genetically engineered version of a mouse antibody containing both human and mouse components. It can be produced in large quantities in the laboratory. This new monoclonal antibody is believed to work by targeting a natural protein called "epidermal growth factor receptor" (EGFR) on the surface of cancer cells, interfering with their growth.

For patients with tumors that express EGFR, the combination treatment of Erbitux and irinotecan shrank tumors in 22.9% of patients and delayed tumor growth by approximately 4.1 months. For patients who received Erbitux alone, the tumor response rate was 10.8% and tumor growth was delayed by 1.5 months.

Side Effects

Erbitus has fewer side effects than standard chemotherapy. During the administration of the first treatment, Erbitux may cause difficulty breathing and low blood pressure. Infrequent interstitial lung disease has been reported; but, it is not sure if Erbitux caused the disease. Infrequent interstitial lung disease occurs when the lung becomes stiff due to scarring of the tissue between the air sacs of the lungs.

Other more common side-effects of Erbitux treatment include acne-like rash, dry skin, tiredness or weakness, fever, constipation, and abdominal pain.

About Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer affecting men and women in the U.S. and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Colorectal cancer is also one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S.; approximately 147,500 new cases were diagnosed in 2003.

In Canadia, more than 19,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer every year, and for half of them the disease has spread to other organs by the time they receive the diagnosis.

ERBITUX MARKET

Sales of Erbitux totaled $97.8 million, up 37 percent from a year ago (2004) and 12 percent from the first quarter. ImClone Â¡X which receives royalty payments on U.S. sales of the drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Â¡X saw $38.1 million from these sales, up from about $34 million in the first quarter. The drug was approved last February, 2005.

This drug may generate a huge revenue, if the manufacturer wins expanded approval for treating other cancers, such as head and neck cancers, and win approval to sell it in more countries.Currently, this drug costs about $10,000 a month.